“By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.” Psalm 137:1
There are many rivers mentioned in the Bible, each with its own story. There are two such rivers that require our attention, as they pertain to opposite, far-reaching effects on the lives of multitudes on this earth. Both concern Israel and Judah, and the God of each. The first river that needs to be considered is that found in Babylon, a place of exile, a symbol of defeat for Israel and Judah, a place of discouragement and despair. But perhaps the greatest and most significant aspect of life along this, or these rivers in Babylon, is the remembrance of blessings past, the limited revelation of God’s presence at present, and the continual reminder of the oppressor at hand. This is an experience of dejection, of hardship and suffering. And yet, even there, God takes care of His people. Through Jeremiah the prophet, God instructed all the captives, “Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them.” He goes on to speak of marrying and having families, increasing, not diminishing. And then He adds, “Seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the Lord for it; for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.” (Jer. 29:5,7) Not only would the Lord in His goodness and grace address the present needs of His people, but He gave them a promise, one that Jeremiah committed to them before the exile. “After seventy years be accomplished at Babylon, I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.” (29:10) The thoughts of the Lord towards His people are thoughts of peace, and not of evil, in order to give them hope, and an expectation of good and wonderful things to come. Primarily He speaks to them of their need to seek Him, with the certainty of finding Him. He promises to be found by the one who seeks for Him with all his heart. With the finding of God, He will fulfill His good word, and bring them back to the land of promise, to Jerusalem, there again to bless them. Thus, this first of two rivers is in Babylon, an unwelcome place, where one is not free, but held captive. And yet, near that river, God comes to His people, calling them back to fellowship and communion with Himself, so that He may fulfill all His good pleasure in accomplishing His promises to them.
The other river, which is so very different from that of Babylon, is mentioned in Psalm 46. The psalminst writes: “There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.” (v.4) This river is a river of life, which brings with it eternal blessing and power. The nature of this river communicates joy and gladness to the “city of God, the holy place of tabernacles of the Most High.” This river is unrestrained, except by the design of God, and overwhelming in its ability to overcome every obstacle and any opposition to it. The psalminst goes on to write, speaking of this city of God, “…God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her and that right early.” (46:5) This truth also applies to the church.
In the book of Revelation, the Apostle John writes concerning His vision of heaven: “And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.” (22:1) Here is the ultimate picture of this blessed river, which not only communicates joy and gladness, but life itself. It is the same river of which the Lord Jesus spoke when He said, “…out of his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water.” (Jn. 7:37) This river is none other than the Spirit of God, eternal, depthless, Almighty, and life giving.
Dear Father, Fill us with this river. In Jesus’ name, Amen.